APD: South Anchorage burglary suspect in custody

AWWU asks customers not to flush wet wipes

Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility is asking its customers to please not flush wet wipes down the toilet. AWWU estimates it is spending an extra $5,000 to $10,000 a week to remove clogged wipes from the system.

The utility company recently spent about $4,500 to mail postcards to its customers. On one side the postcard asks customers not to flush wipes. The other side bears this catchy phrase: “If it didn’t come off a roll, it can’t go in the bowl.”

But customers don’t seem to be heeding the advice. City crews said they are spending an inordinate amount of time cleaning out clogged wipes from pipes and pump stations — twice a week or more in some areas. They said even wipes that claim to be flushable probably aren’t. The safest thing to do is put only toilet paper in the toilet. Anything else will cost time and money.

“It’s our duty to maintain sewer service throughout the municipality,” said AWWU’s Chris Kosinski. “If we have to come out here and maintain clogs and pumps on an ongoing basis it just adds to the cost.”

Kosinski said there is a city law that forbids flushing anything that could clog a public sewer line. He said violators could face a fine that could run $75 to $1,000, but wasn’t sure if anyone had ever been fined.

Related Stories

News

Proper precautions in the kitchen keep sewer lines cleaner

by Heather Hintze on Feb 11, 21:39

ANCHORAGE – It takes a lot of work to keep sewer lines clean. Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility (AWWU) only has four crews to maintain more than 700 miles of line. “You can climb into a manhole and use a mirror and a light and see about 30 or 40 feet up a sewer line, but typically […]

News

You have poop on your shoes

by on Jan 22, 20:16

ANCHORAGE – If Nicole Churchill is going anywhere, she’ll be walking to her destination. Thanks to what she calls unkind or oblivious drivers, she said she ends many commutes soaked with brownish water that pools along roadsides during breakup periods. “They splash water all over you,” Churchill said. “I know I was walking in the […]

Latest Stories

Buyer Beware: Holiday gift exchange scams to watch out for on Facebook

by CBS News on Dec 09, 8:03

‘Tis the season … to get scammed on Facebook. Two scams called the “Secret Sister Gift Exchange” and the “Secret Wine Bottle Exchange” are spreading across Facebook like wildfire, and unfortunately, users are falling for it. It sounds like a fun Secret Santa-like gift exchange, but it’s actually a pyramid scheme in disguise. And worse, […]

Government proposes letting airline passengers make phone calls

by Associated Press on Dec 08, 20:16

WASHINGTON (AP) – The government is proposing that airlines be allowed to permit their passengers to make phone calls during flights using Wi-Fi despite complaints from flight attendants and others that the calls could be disruptive. The Department of Transportation’s proposal leaves it up to airlines whether to allow the calls. But carriers would be […]

Lifestyle

A grim tally soars: More than 50,000 overdose deaths in US

by Associated Press on Dec 08, 20:08

NEW YORK (AP) – Health officials say more than 50,000 Americans died from drug overdoses last year, the most ever. The disastrous tally has been pushed to new heights by soaring abuse of heroin and prescription painkillers, a class of drugs known as opioids. The new numbers were part of the annual tally of deaths […]

Lifestyle

Winter waterfowl: Biologists monitor mallards that don’t migrate

by Heather Hintze on Dec 08, 20:01

Every winter the Alaska Department of Fish and Game gets calls from people concerned about ducks that haven’t flown south for the winter. Waterfowl biologist Mike Petrula said there are about 1,500 mallards that make Anchorage their year-round home and they seem to be thriving. “Mallards are a very tough duck. They’re a big-bodied bird. […]

News

Vigil planned for murdered Palmer teen

by Lauren Maxwell on Dec 08, 18:54

Organizers are expecting a big turnout Friday for a Candlelight Vigil of Hope and Prayer for David Grunwald event. Grunwald is the Palmer teen who was missing for weeks before his body was discovered in the Knik River Road area. Another 16-year-old has been charged with murder and kidnapping in connection to the slaying. Gina Spangler is […]

Conservation council looking for fish tales for new almanac

by Daybreak Staff on Dec 08, 18:08

Have any good personal or commercial fishing stories, anecdotes, pictures or art? The Alaska Marine Conservation Council is “calling all writers, artists, know-hows and know-nots” for a new Young Fisherman’s Almanac. The almanac, due out next year, is being put together to connect young fishermen and women. Most commercial fishing permit holders are over the […]

News

Anchorage pot shop plans to start selling marijuana clones Friday

by Shannon Ballard on Dec 08, 17:18

Ever since marijuana was legalized in Alaska, Arctic Herbery owner Bryant Thorp has said he wanted his pot shop to be the first to open in Anchorage. Now, after years of preparation, he’s confident it’s going to happen. Thorp told KTVA on Tuesday that he finally has all the required licenses in hand. “They gave […]

On-Air

Reality Check w/ John Tracy: Will you get the remainder of your PFD?

by John Tracy on Dec 08, 17:11

What are the chances you’ll be seeing the other half of this year’s Alaska Permanent Fund dividend? Recently, an Anchorage superior court judge upheld Gov. Bill Walker’s authority to cut this year’s dividend in half by exercising his veto power. The lawsuit, challenging Walker’s authority, was filed by Democratic Sen. Bill Wielechowski. The case is being […]